Arsenal’s North west tour continues with new injuries – ‘Turf’ luck?

If Arshavin thought the Premier League was a tough league after playing less than half of it last year, he will find that a full season is a lot more unforgiving. After the Liverpool match, we discovered that his right foot, the right foot that instinctively fired a thunderous shot past Reina in the top corner, was actually unused during the whole of last week.

The Russian, like Theo, like Cesc, like Traore and who knows maybe half the team that played weren’t fully fit to play on Sunday. At this time of the year, this is expected. I once advocated bringing a winter break. However, most of us want to have the frosty (pun intended) football cake during this period and eat it too.

A painkiller or two will suffice and Arshavin will play at Turf Moor.

However, Traore and Denilson won’t be involved.

The moment I give a major “big up” to Denilson and his back gets the hump. Traore’s hamstring means we will have a 4th person (Silvestre) or maybe even a 5th (Sagna or Eboue) to play in the left back position this season. If I included other competitions, increase the above numbers by 1 to accomodate Tom Cruise.

Logic without any emotion or bias would dictact that Silvestre should be a certainty as he was a solid left back at Utd. However that is the problem. Some of us still aren’t over his almost blasphemous past.

Something strange is happening in midfield now. I am convinced about it.

When Denilson’s back troubled ruled him out for almost 2 months, I backed Diaby. When Diaby picked up an injury at Wolves, I looked forward to Denilson’s return. Now Diaby is back, I think you get the point.

Needless to say, Diaby will slot in midfield alongside Song. What we lose defensively with the Brazilian is slightly negated by the gain of the Frenchman’s attacking verve.

Some fellow repping the Burnley team on the Arsenal website, spoke of the slowness of their central defenders. On their patch it hasn’t cost them as much because the “Beast” that is Brian Jensen runs out so forcefully that any attacking player within reach, promptly falls at his feet. He really is a sweeper and if we are to cause a right mess in his area, we have to be ever very clever in doing so. I remember Vela and Bendtner being shut out several times last year when we played them in the Carling Cup.

Something you didn’t know about Jensen….

Although he looks a Beast, he is 2 inches shorter and 1 stone lighter than Almunia. Another example showing that size doesn’t matter as much if you can put mind over matter.

If their central defenders are that slow, then Theo has to start again. If you don’t like it, Vela fans, Eduardo fans, “anybody but Walcott please” fans, speak up.

I’ve always believed Burnley deserve to stay up because they strive to play entertaining football. That is Coyle’s philosophy which we should admire. I’ve yet to see them “park the bus” and/or use “hoof the ball” tactics. They remain very organised because to play attractive football you still need to be in synch with your teammates and know where they are.

Our record in the north west, so far reads,

Played two in Manchester, lost two.
Played two in Liverpool, won two.
Last year we picked up 3 points from those 4 matches.

This is our first game, in the north west, outside of Liverpool and Manchester. You know what the obvious response will be if we draw or even lose this match. Arsenal can’t hack up north blah blah blah.

Pity they can’t suggest the same about Manchester City who have lost to Utd (4-3), drew at Liverpool (2-2), at Bolton (3-3), at Wigan (1-1) and also drew 3-3 at home to Burnley (with greatest of respect, they are pretty average away). You’ll never hear the journo’s say, City can’t hack it in the north west.

Anyway back to us and Burnley v Arsenal promises to be an intriguing match.

Ask me what team we’ll play and I’ll say this

Almunia

Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Silvestre

Diaby Fabregas Song

Theo/Eboue Arshavin Nasri